Headlamp assembly for a saddle-type vehicle

ABSTRACT

A headlamp assembly for a saddle-type vehicle includes left and right light-emitting portions arranged on left and right sides, respectively, of a housing. Each of the light-emitting portions includes a light source and a concave reflector, disposed proximate the light source for reflecting light forwardly. Each reflector has an inclined surface configured such that the rear surfaces of the reflectors extend in directions separating from each other as the reflectors extend rearwardly. A driver for driving the light sources of the left and right light-emitting portions is arranged behind and in between the left and right reflectors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority under 35 USC 119 based on JapanesePatent Application No. 2013-059918, filed on Mar. 22, 2013. The entiresubject matter of this priority document, including specification claimsand drawings thereof, is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates lighting equipment for a saddle-typevehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a headlampassembly for a saddle-type vehicle.

2. Description of the Background Art

The following Patent Literature 1 discloses a known structure for aheadlamp assembly where a headlight driver having headlight units onleft and right sides, respectively, is arranged between reflectors ofthe left and right headlight units.

[Patent Literature 1] JP-A-2009-202670

However, in the above-mentioned Patent Literature 1, the driver isarranged between the reflectors of the headlight units and hence, unlessthe thickness direction of the driver is set to the left-and-rightdirection, the respective arrangement positions of the headlight unitsare excessively spaced apart or away from each other and hence, thedegree of freedom in the arrangement of the driver is restricted.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aheadlamp assembly for a saddle-type vehicle which can enhance the degreeof freedom in the arrangement position of a driver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Reference numbers are included in the following descriptioncorresponding to the reference numbers used in the drawings. Suchreference numbers are provided for illustration and are not intended tolimit the invention.

A headlamp assembly (10) of a saddle-type vehicle (12) according to anillustrative embodiment of the invention has the following technicalfeatures.

First Technical Feature:

The headlamp assembly (10) of a saddle-type vehicle (12) where betweenlight-emitting portions (110L, 110R, 112L, 112R) having light sources(114) and reflectors (116) which reflect light from the light sources(114) frontward which are arranged on left and right sides respectively,a driver (142) for driving the light sources (114) is arranged, whereinthe left and right reflectors (116) have inclined surfaces (119) whoserear surfaces extend in the direction separating from each other as thereflectors (116) extend rearward, and the driver (142) is arrangedbetween the left and right reflectors (116) and behind and in thevicinity of the left and right reflectors (116).

Second Technical Feature:

The headlamp assembly (10) of a saddle-type vehicle (12) includes ahousing (100) which supports the light-emitting portions (110L, 110R,112L, 112R) in a state where the housing (100) covers the light-emittingportions (110L, 110R, 112L, 112R) from behind, and a lens (102) whichcovers a front side of the light-emitting portions (110L, 110R, 112L,112R) while allowing light to pass therethrough, and the driver (142) issupported on a rear surface wall (100 a) of the housing (100).

Third Technical Feature:

The driver (142) has a waterproof function, and is supported on an outerside of the rear surface wall (100 a) of the housing (100).

Fourth Technical Feature:

The driver (142) is arranged in a recessed portion (144) indentedforwardly which is formed on the rear surface wall (100 a) of thehousing (100).

Fifth Technical Feature:

The driver (142) is a headlight-use driver for driving the light source(114) for a headlight, the headlamp assembly (10) includes a turn signallamp (130), a signal-lamp driver (140) for the turn signal lamp (130) isarranged in the inside of the housing (100) in a state where the rearsurface wall (100 a) of the housing (100) is sandwiched between theheadlight-use driver (142) and the signal-lamp driver (140).

Advantages of the Invention

According to the first technical feature of the invention, the driver isarranged between the left and right reflectors and behind and in thevicinity of the left and right reflectors and hence, the degree offreedom in the arrangement position of the driver is enhanced. Further,the reflectors have inclined surfaces whose rear surfaces extend in thedirection separating from each other as the reflectors extend rearwardand hence, the driver provided between the left and right light-emittingportions can be arranged on a more frontward side whereby the headlampassembly can be miniaturized.

According to the second technical feature of the invention, the driveris supported on the rear surface wall of the housing and hence, thedriver which is arranged behind and in the vicinity of the reflectorscan be easily supported.

According to the third technical feature of the invention, the driverhas a waterproof function and is supported on the outer side of the rearsurface wall of the housing and hence, the heat radiation performance ofthe driver is enhanced.

According to the fourth technical feature of the invention, the driveris arranged in the recessed portion indented forwardly which is formedon the rear surface wall of the housing and hence, a power line whichconnects the driver and the light source can be shortened.

According to the fifth technical feature of the invention, the driver isthe headlight-use driver for driving the light source for a headlight,the signal-lamp driver for the turn signal lamp is arranged in theinside of the housing in a state where the rear surface wall of thehousing is sandwiched between the headlight-use driver and thesignal-lamp driver. Accordingly, it is possible to protect thesignal-lamp driver from water or dust. The driver usually has a plateshape or a box shape and hence, it is desirable that a mounting surfaceon which the driver is mounted has a flat surface. Since the signal-lampdriver can be mounted by making use of a flat surface which constitutesa mounting surface of the rear surface wall provided for mounting theheadlight-use driver, it is unnecessary to additionally provide mountingsurfaces for mounting the respective drivers thus eventually making theheadlamp assembly compact.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the readeris referred to the following detailed description section, which shouldbe read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout thefollowing detailed description and in the drawings, like numbers referto like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left side view showing an external appearance of amotorcycle which is an example of a saddle-type vehicle on which aheadlamp assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention is mounted.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the motorcycle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the headlamp assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view of the headlamp assembly shown in FIG. 3 when an outerlens is removed.

FIG. 5 is a view of the headlamp assembly shown in FIG. 4 when anextension cover is removed.

FIG. 6 is a view of the headlamp assembly shown in FIG. 5 when an innerlens is removed.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the headlamp assembly shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view as viewed in the direction indicated byan arrow VIII-VIII in FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a back view of the headlamp assembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a license lamp.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the license lamp.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view as viewed in the direction indicatedby an arrow XII-XII in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view as viewed in the direction indicatedby an arrow XIII-XIII in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view as viewed in the direction indicatedby an arrow XIV-XIV in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention will be describedhereinafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.Throughout this description, relative terms like “upper”, “lower”,“above”, “below”, “front”, “back”, and the like are used in reference toa vantage point of an operator of the vehicle, seated on the driver'sseat and facing forward. It should be understood that these terms areused for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to limit theinvention.

Hereinafter, a headlamp assembly for a saddle-type vehicle according tothe invention is explained in detail in conjunction with a preferredembodiment of the headlamp assembly by reference to attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a left side view of an external appearance of a motorcycle 12which is a kind of saddle-type vehicle on which a headlamp assembly 10according to an embodiment is mounted, and FIG. 2 is a front view of themotorcycle 12 shown in FIG. 1. Unless otherwise specified, thedirections “frontward”, “rearward”, “upward”, “downward”, “leftward” and“rightward” are explained in accordance with the directions indicated byarrows in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

The motorcycle 12 includes: a vehicle body frame 14; a head pipe 16which is mounted on a front end portion of the vehicle body frame 14; apair of left and right front forks 18 which is rotatably supported onthe head pipe 16; a front wheel 20 which constitutes a wheel to besteered which is pivotally supported on the pair of left and right frontforks 18 in a rotatable manner; and a steerable bar-shaped handle 22which is mounted on upper portions of the pair of left and right frontforks 18.

The vehicle body frame 14 includes: a pair of left and right main frames24 which extends rearward from the head pipe 16; a pair of left andright pivot plates 26 which is arranged behind the pair of left andright main frames 24; and a pair of left and right seat frames 28 whichis mounted on the pair of left and right pivot plates 26 and extendsobliquely in the rearward and upward direction. A power unit 30 whichincludes an engine and a transmission is mounted on the pair of left andright main frames 24. A swing arm 34 which rotatably and pivotallysupports the rear wheel 32 constituting a drive wheel is swingablysupported on the pivot plates 26.

A fuel tank 36 which stores fuel therein is arranged above the pair ofleft and right main frames 24. A driver's seat 38 on which a rider isseated is arranged behind the fuel tank 36 and above the pair of leftand right seat frames 28. A pillion's seat 40 on which a pillion isseated is arranged behind the driver's seat 38. A front fender 42 ismounted on the pair of left and right front forks 18, and a rear fender44 is mounted on rear portions of the pair of left and right seat frames28. A license plate 46, a license lamp 48 which illuminates the licenseplate 46, and rear blinkers 50 are mounted on the rear fender 44.

The motorcycle 12 includes: an upper cowl 52 which is mounted on thevehicle body frame 14 and protects a front side of the motorcycle 12; awind screen 54 which is arranged above the upper cowl 52; rear viewmirrors 56 which are mounted on an upper portion of the upper cowl 52and enable a rider to confirm an area behind the motorcycle 12; aheadlamp assembly 10 which is mounted on a front portion of the uppercowl 52 and constitutes a headlight for illuminating an area in front ofthe motorcycle 12; a middle cowl 58 which protects a front side portionof the motorcycle 12; an under cover 60 which is arranged behind themiddle cowl 58 and on a lower side of the motorcycle 12; side covers 62which are arranged above the seat frames 28 and cover areas ranging fromupper portions of the seat frames 28 to a lower portion of the driver'sseat 38; and a rear cover 64 which is arranged behind the seat frame 28.A front blinker 56 a is incorporated into the rear view mirror 56.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the headlamp assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1. Asshown in FIG. 3, the headlamp assembly 10 includes a housing 100 and anouter lens (lens) 102 which is arranged in front of the housing 100 andallows light to pass therethrough. A portion (a region indicated byhatching in FIG. 3) of the outer lens 102 is covered with the upper cowl52.

FIG. 4 is a view of the headlamp assembly 10 shown in FIG. 3 in a statewhere the outer lens 102 is removed, FIG. 5 is a view of the headlampassembly 10 shown in FIG. 4 in a state where an extension cover 104 isremoved, FIG. 6 is a view of the headlamp assembly 10 shown in FIG. 5 ina state where an inner lens 106 is removed, FIG. 7 is a plan view of theheadlamp assembly 10 shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional viewas viewed in the direction indicated by an arrow VIII-VIII in FIG. 3,and FIG. 9 is a back view of the headlamp assembly 10 shown in FIG. 3.

The headlamp assembly 10 includes upper light-emitting portions(light-emitting portions) 110L, 110R for a headlight which are supportedon the housing 100 and are arranged on left and right sides of theheadlamp assembly 10 respectively, and lower light-emitting portions(light-emitting portions) 112L, 112R for a headlight which are supportedon the housing 100 and are arranged on left and right sides of theheadlamp assembly 10 respectively. The lower light-emitting portions112L, 112R are arranged below the upper light-emitting portions 110L,110R. The headlamp assembly 10 has a left-right symmetrical shape andhence, the upper light-emitting portion 110L and the lowerlight-emitting portion 112L are in left-right symmetry with the upperlight-emitting portion 110R and the lower light-emitting portion 112Rrespectively. Other constitutional elements and members are alsoarranged in left-right symmetry.

The upper light-emitting portion 110L, 110R for a low beam includes alight source (first light source) 114 which is a light-emitting elementsuch as an LED (Light-emitting Diode) (see FIG. 8) and a reflector(first reflector) 116 which reflects light emitted from the light source114 frontward. In the same manner as the upper light-emitting portion110L, 110R, the lower light-emitting portion 112L, 112R for a high beamalso includes a light source (second light source) 118 which is alight-emitting element such as an LED (see FIG. 8) and a reflector(second reflector) 120 which reflects light emitted from the lightsource 118 frontward.

The reflector 116, 120 has the cup-shaped structure where a lateralwidth of the reflector 116, 120 is gradually narrowed as the reflector116, 120 extends rearward (see FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 8, thereflector 160, 120 includes a concave surface portion 117 a, 121 a and aforwardly extending portion 117 b, 121 b which extends frontward from anend portion of the concave surface portion 117 a, 121 a. The lightsource 114, 118 irradiates light downward and the concave surfaceportion 117 a, 121 a of the reflector 116, 120 reflects light irradiatedfrom the light source 114, 118 frontward.

An opening portion 116 a, 120 a is formed on the upper forwardlyextending portion 117 b, 121 b of the reflector 116, 120, and lightemitted from the light source 114, 118 reaches an inner reflectionsurface of the concave surface portion 117 a, 121 a after passingthrough the opening portion 116 a, 120 a. Inner edges of the reflector116, 120 are formed such that, as viewed in a front view of FIG. 6, theinner edges become further away from each other as the inner edgesextend upward.

An extension cover 104 is arranged in front of the upper light-emittingportions 110L, 110R and the lower light-emitting portions 112L, 112Rsuch that the extension cover 104 covers the upper light-emittingportions 110L, 110R and the lower light-emitting portions 112L, 112R. Inthe extension cover 104, opening portions 124UL, 124UR, 124DL, 124DRwhich allow light emitted from the upper light-emitting portions 110L,110R and light emitted from the lower light-emitting portions 112L, 112Rto pass therethrough and to advance toward a front side are formed.

The extension cover 104 includes extension members 126L, 126R. Theextension member 126L partitions the opening portion 124UL and theopening portion 124DL from each other, and the extension member 126Rpartitions the opening portion 124UR and the opening portion 124DR fromeach other. The extension members 126L, 126R extend in the horizontaldirection so as to approach front ends of lower edges (the lowerforwardly extending portions 117 b) of the upper light-emitting portions110L, 110R (to be more specific, the reflectors 116) (see FIG. 8).

A turn signal lamp 130 is arranged on left and right lower sides of theextension cover 104. An inner lens 106 which functions as a lens of theturn signal lamp 130 is arranged along and below the extension cover 104on left and right sides. The inner lens 106 allows light reflectedfrontward by the reflector 132 (see FIG. 6) of the turn signal lamp 130arranged behind the inner lens 106 to pass therethrough. The reflector132 reflects light emitted from a light source (not shown in thedrawing) of the turn signal lamp 130 frontward.

On an inner side of a mounting surface 101 of a rear surface wall 100 aof the housing 100 (in the inside of the headlamp assembly 10), asignal-lamp driver (driver) 140 which drives the light source for theturn signal lamp and has an approximately plate shape or anapproximately box shape is mounted. On an outer side of the mountingsurface 101 of the rear surface wall 100 a of the housing 100, aheadlight-use driver (driver) 142 which drives the light sources 114,118 is mounted. That is, the signal-lamp driver 140 and theheadlight-use driver 142 are mounted on the housing 100 in a state wherethe rear surface wall 100 a of the housing 100 is sandwiched betweenthese drivers 140, 142 and the thickness direction of these drivers 140,142 is directed in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 7). The mountingsurface 101 has an approximately planar shape.

The signal-lamp driver 140 and the headlight-use driver 142 are mountedon an upper center portion of the rear surface wall 100 a such that anarea where the signal-lamp driver 140 is mounted on the rear surfacewall 100 a of the housing 100 and an area where the headlight-use driver142 is mounted on the rear surface wall 100 a of the housing 100 overlapwith each other (see FIG. 5, FIG. 9). The reflectors 116 of the upperlight-emitting portions 110L, 110R are arranged in a more spaced-apartmanner in the lateral direction than the reflectors 120 of the lowerlight-emitting portions 112L, 112R are (see FIG. 7). The signal-lampdriver 140 and the headlight-use driver 142 are arranged above thereflectors 120, while the signal-lamp driver 140 and the headlight-usedriver 142 are arranged at substantially the same height as one another.

The rear surface wall 100 a of the housing 100 on left and right sidesbulges in a rearwardly projecting manner. Due to such bulging of therear surface wall 100 a, a recessed portion 144 which is indentedfrontward is formed on the rear surface wall 100 a of the housing 100 atthe center, and the headlight-use driver 142 is mounted on a mountingsurface 101 of the recessed portion 144. The rear surface wall 100 a ofthe housing 100 on left and right sides bulges in a rearwardlyprojecting manner and hence, wide spaces can be ensured behind heatsinks 160, 162 provided in the inside of the headlamp assembly 10 (seeFIG. 8) whereby air around the heat sinks 160, 162 can easily formconvention flows. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the elevationof temperature of air in the inside of the headlamp assembly 10 causedby a quantity of heat generated by the light source 114, 118. Further,the interference between the head pipe 16 and the headlamp assembly 10can be prevented by the recessed portion 144.

Lateral widths of the reflectors 116, 120 are gradually narrowed as thereflectors 116, 120 extend rearward (to be more specific, the reflectors116, 120 have inclined surfaces 119, 123 whose rear surfaces extend inthe direction separating from each other as the reflectors 116, 120extend rearward) and hence, there exists a relatively wide space betweenthe left and right reflectors 116, 120 and behind and in the vicinity ofthe left and right reflectors 116, 120. Accordingly, in arranging thesignal-lamp driver 140 between the left and right upper light-emittingportions 110L, 116R and the headlight-use driver 142 between the leftand right lower light-emitting portions 112L, 112R, the headlampassembly 10 can be miniaturized also by making use of the space.

The reason why the signal-lamp driver 140 is arranged inside theheadlamp assembly 10 and the headlight-use driver 142 is arrangedoutside the headlamp assembly 10 is explained. A quantity of light for alow beam and a quantity of light for a high beam are stipulated in lawsin many cases and hence, the number of cases where electric powerfluctuates depending on a type of motorcycle is relatively small andhence, the headlight-use driver 142 is applicable to other types ofmotorcycles in many cases. Accordingly, it is often the case where theheadlight-use driver 142 having a waterproof or water-resistant functionis used, so that the headlight-use driver 142 can be arranged at anyportion of a motorcycle. The headlight-use driver 142 also consumes alarge quantity of electric power. Accordingly, in this embodiment, byarranging the headlight-use driver 142 having a waterproof functionoutside the headlamp assembly 10, the cooling structure in the inside ofthe headlamp assembly 10 can be simplified and the headlamp assembly 10per se can be miniaturized.

On the other hand, the turn signal lamp 130 is provided for enhancingthe aesthetic appearance of the motorcycle in many cases and hence, itis often the case where an output performance and a quantity of electricpower largely differ depending on the type of a motorcycle and hence,the turn signal lamp requires dedicated designing in many cases. Undersuch circumstances, unlike the headlight-use driver 142, there has beena demand for omitting functions such as a waterproof function which canbe omitted from functions of the signal-lamp driver 140 for reducing amanufacturing cost. In this embodiment, the signal-lamp driver 140 isarranged inside the headlamp assembly 10 so that a waterproof functioncan be omitted from the functions of the signal-lamp driver 140 wherebya manufacturing cost of the signal-lamp driver 140 can be reduced.

A pair of left and right eaves portions 146L, 146R is arranged below thesignal-lamp driver 140 and between the lower light-emitting portions112L, 112R. The eaves portion 146L is provided for blocking light fromthe lower light-emitting portion 112L which advances rightward such thatthe light from the light-emitting portion 112L cannot be seen through agap formed between the lower light-emitting portion 112L and theextension cover 104 when the headlamp assembly 10 is viewed from a rightside. In the same manner as the eaves portion 146L, the eaves portion146R is provided for blocking light from the lower light-emittingportion 112R which advances leftward such that the light from the lowerlight-emitting portion 112R cannot be seen through a gap formed betweenthe lower light-emitting portion 112R and the extension cover 104 whenthe headlamp assembly 10 is viewed from a left side. Power lines 150L,150R which extend from a lower side of the signal-lamp driver 140 passthrough between the eaves portions 146L, 146R and are connected to aprinted circuit board not shown in the drawing on which the light sourcefor the turn signal lamp 130 is mounted.

On the reflectors 116 of the upper light-emitting portions 110L, 110R,flange portions 152L, 152R which extend downward from lower edges of thereflectors 116 are mounted respectively (see FIG. 5, FIG. 8). The flangeportion 152L mounted on the reflector 116 of the upper light-emittingportion 110L extends to a right edge of the reflector 116, and theflange portion 152R mounted on the reflector 116 of the upperlight-emitting portion 110R extends to a left edge of the reflector 116.

The flange portion 152L, 152R is provided for concealing a gap 154 (seeFIG. 8) formed between a lower edge of the reflector 116 and an upperedge of the reflector 120, and the flange portion 152L, 152R extendsdownward from an area in the vicinity of the upper edge of the reflector120 or from the upper edge of the reflector 120. Further, the flangeportion 152L, 152R extends downward to an extent that the concavesurface portion 121 a of the reflector 120 cannot be seen through a gap155 formed between the extension member 126L, 126R and the forwardlyextending portion 117 b formed on a lower side of the reflector 116. Theextension members 126L, 126R are arranged at the substantially sameheight as the flange portions 152L, 152R.

As shown in FIG. 8, the light sources 114, 118 are mounted on lowersurfaces of the printed circuit boards 156, 158 respectively, and uppersurfaces of the printed circuit boards 156, 158 are connected to theheat sinks 160, 162. The heat sinks 160, 162 are provided for coolingheat which the light sources 114, 118 generate, and have an L shape soas to cover upper sides and rear sides of the reflectors 116, 120respectively.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the power lines 164L, 164R which extendfrom the headlight-use driver 142 are introduced into the inside of theheadlamp assembly 10 through grommet 166L, 166R, and are connected tothe printed circuit boards 156, 158.

Reference symbol 170L shown in FIG. 9 indicates a vertical aiming boltfor performing the aiming adjustment of the upper light-emitting portion110L and the lower light-emitting portion 112L integrally in thevertical direction, and reference symbol 170R indicates a verticalaiming bolt for performing the aiming adjustment of the upperlight-emitting portion 110R and the lower light-emitting portion 112Rintegrally in the vertical direction. The vertical aiming bolts 170L,170R are arranged in the vicinity of the upper edges of the reflectors116 of the upper light-emitting portions 110L, 110R. Reference symbol172L indicates a lateral aiming bolt for performing the aimingadjustment of the upper light-emitting portion 110L and the lowerlight-emitting portion 112L integrally in the lateral direction, andreference symbol 172R indicates a lateral aiming bolt for performing theaiming adjustment of the upper light-emitting portion 110R and the lowerlight-emitting portion 112R integrally in the lateral direction. Thelateral aiming bolts 172L, 172R are arranged in the vicinity of thelower edges of the reflectors 120 of the lower light-emitting portions112L, 112R.

Reference symbols 174L, 174R indicate aiming reference positions, andthe aiming adjustment in the vertical direction and the aimingadjustment in the lateral direction are performed with reference to theaiming reference positions 174L, 174R. In this case, vertical aimingaxes 176L, 176R are lines connecting the aiming reference positions174L, 174R and the lateral aiming bolts 172L, 172R respectively. Lateralaiming axes 178L, 178R are lines connecting the aiming referencepositions 174L, 174R and the vertical aiming bolts 170L, 170Rrespectively.

The vertical aiming axes 176L, 176R are arranged in the vicinity of theflange portions 152L, 152R, and are arranged below the lower edges ofthe reflectors 116 (see FIG. 6). Reference symbol 180 indicates an airpermeable waterproof material which allows air to pass therethrough butprevents water, dust and the like from passing therethrough (forexample, GORE-TEX (trademark)).

As described above, the flange portions 152L, 152R which extend downwardfrom the lower edges of the reflectors 116 are formed on the reflectors116 of the upper light-emitting portions 110L, 110R and hence, when theheadlamp assembly 10 is viewed from a front side or a front upper sideover the outer lens 102, the gaps 154 formed between the reflectors 116of the upper light-emitting portions 110L, 110R and the reflectors 120of the lower light-emitting portions 112L, 112R become hard to see,light-emitting areas of the upper light-emitting portions 110L, 110R canbe ensured whereby the degree of freedom in design is enhanced.

To make the gaps 154 formed between the reflectors 116 and thereflectors 120 hard to see, it is necessary to arrange the lower edgesof the reflectors 116 and the extension members 126L, 126R close to eachother (it is necessary to make the gaps 155 small). In this embodiment,the aiming axes of the upper light-emitting portions 110L, 110R and thelower light-emitting portions 112L, 112R which are subjected to theaiming adjustment in the vertical direction integrally are arranged inthe vicinity of the flange portions 152L, 152R and hence, it is possibleto prevent the reflectors 116 from largely moving in the longitudinaldirection with respect to the extension members 126L, 126R due to theaiming adjustment whereby the gaps 155 can be easily set thus making thedesigning of the flange portions 152L, 152R easy.

The lower light-emitting portions 112L, 112R are provided for reflectinglight which is irradiated downward from the light source 118 frontwardby the reflectors 120 and hence, upper portions of the lowerlight-emitting portions 112L, 112R (upper portion of the reflector 120)become dark compared to lower portions of the lower light-emittingportions 112L, 112R. Accordingly, even when the flange portions 152L,152R extend downward from the lower edges of the reflectors 116 of theupper light-emitting portions 110L, 110R, the flange portions 152L, 152Rhardly influence the light-emitting areas and the external appearance ofthe headlamp assembly 10.

The flange portions 152L, 152R extend downward to an extent that atleast the concave surface portions 121 a of the reflectors 120 are notvisible through the gaps 155. Accordingly, the concave surface portions121 a are not substantially visible through the gaps 155 and hence, theexternal appearance of the headlamp assembly 10 can be enhanced.

The signal-lamp driver 140 and the headlight-use driver 142 are arrangedbetween the reflectors 116 of the upper light-emitting portions 110L,110R and the reflectors 120 of the lower light-emitting portions 112L,112R and behind and in the vicinity of the reflectors 116, 120 andhence, the degree of freedom in designing arrangement positions of thesignal-lamp driver 140 and the headlight-use driver 142 can be enhanced.Further, the reflectors 116, 120 respectively include the inclinedsurfaces 119, 123 whose rear surfaces extend in the direction separatingfrom each other as the reflectors 116, 120 extend rearward and hence,the signal-lamp driver 140 and the headlight-use driver 142 which arearranged between the left and right upper light-emitting portions 110L,110R and the left and right lower light-emitting portions 112L, 112Rrespectively can be arranged on a more frontward side whereby theheadlamp assembly 10 can be miniaturized.

The signal-lamp driver 140 and the headlight-use driver 142 aresupported on the rear surface wall 100 a of the housing 100 and hence,the signal-lamp driver 140 and the headlight-use driver 142 which arearranged behind and in the vicinity of the reflectors 116, 120 can beeasily supported.

Although the headlight-use driver 142 has a waterproof function, theheadlight-use driver 142 is supported on an outer side of the rearsurface wall 100 a of the housing 100 and hence, the heat radiationperformance of the headlight-use driver 142 can be easily ensured.

The headlight-use driver 142 is arranged in the recessed portion 144indented frontward which is formed on the rear surface wall 100 a of thehousing 100 and hence, the power lines 164L, 164R which connect theheadlight-use driver 142 and the light sources 114, 118 to each othercan be shortened.

The signal-lamp driver 140 is arranged in the inside of the housing 100such that the rear surface wall 100 a of the housing 100 is sandwichedbetween the signal-lamp driver 140 and the headlight-use driver 142.Accordingly, it is possible to protect the signal-lamp driver 140 fromwater or dust. Further, the signal-lamp driver 140 is mounted by makinguse of a flat surface, that is, the mounting surface 101 of the rearsurface wall 100 a provided for mounting the headlight-use driver 142.Accordingly, it is unnecessary to additionally provide mounting surfaces101 for mounting the respective drivers 140, 142 thus eventually makingthe headlamp assembly 10 compact.

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the license lamp 48, FIG. 11 is a frontview of the license lamp 48, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view as viewedin the direction indicated by an arrow XII-XII in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is across-sectional view as viewed in the direction indicated by an arrowXIII-XIII in FIG. 11, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view as viewed inthe direction indicated by an arrow XIV-XIV in FIG. 10.

The license lamp 48 includes: a light source 202 which is alight-emitting element such as an LED mounted on the printed circuitboard 200; a case member 204 which stores the printed circuit board 200and the light source 202, and a lens 206 which is mounted on a lowerside of the case member 204 and allows light irradiated from the lightsource 202 to pass therethrough.

The case member 204 includes a base portion 208 which holds the lightsource 202 thereon and is mounted on the rear fender 44, and a coverportion 210 which is mounted on the base portion 208 by ultrasonicwelding or the like so as to cover the light source 202 from behind. Thelens 206 is mounted on lower sides of the base portion 208 and the coverportion 210 using an adhesive agent or the like.

As shown in FIG. 11, an inner side of the base portion 208 is recessedrearward as viewed in a front view thus forming a recessed portion 212,and nut portions 216 which are threadably engaged with bolts 214 formounting the base portion 208 on the rear fender 44 are formed on leftand right sides of the recessed portion 212 (see FIG. 12). A grommet 218is provided at the center of the recessed portion 212. A power line 220is introduced into the inside of the license lamp 48 through the grommet218 and is connected to the printed circuit board 200 (see FIG. 13).

The printed circuit board 200 is fixed to the case member 204 in such amanner that one end of the printed circuit board 200 is inserted into arecessed portion 222 which is formed on the cover portion 210, and ascrew 224 which is inserted into a hole 200 a formed in the other end ofthe printed circuit board 200 is threadably engaged with a nut portion226 of the base portion 208 (see FIG. 14). The nut portion 226 is formedin the inside of the license lamp 48 and is arranged in the recessedportion 222 of the base portion 208.

Although the invention has been explained in conjunction with thepreferred embodiment heretofore, the technical scope of the invention isnot limited to the scope described in the above-mentioned embodiment. Itis apparent to those who are skilled in the art that variousmodifications and improvements may be added to the above-mentionedembodiment. It is also apparent from the description of the Scope ofClaims that embodiments to which such modifications and improvements areadded also fall within the technical scope of the invention. Further,symbols with parenthesis described in the Scope of Claims are added inconformity with symbols in the attached drawings for facilitating theunderstanding of the invention and hence, it should not be construedthat the invention is limited to elements to which symbols are given.

In other words, although the present invention has been described hereinwith respect to a specific illustrative embodiment, the foregoingdescription is intended to illustrate, rather than to limit theinvention. Those skilled in the art will realize that many modificationsof the illustrative embodiment could be made which would be operable.All such modifications, which are within the scope of the claims, areintended to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS

-   10: headlamp assembly-   12: motorcycle-   100: housing-   100 a: rear surface wall-   102: outer lens-   104: extension cover-   106: inner lens-   110L, 110R: upper light-emitting portion-   112L, 112R: lower light-emitting portion-   114, 118, 202: light source-   116, 120, 132: reflector-   126L, 126R; extension member-   117 a, 121 a: concave surface portion-   117 b, 121 b, forwardly extending portion-   119, 123: inclined surface-   130: turn signal lamp-   140: signal-lamp driver-   142: headlight-use driver-   144: recessed portion-   146L, 146R: eaves portion-   152L, 152R: flange portion-   154, 155: gap-   156, 158, 200: printed circuit board-   160, 162: heat sink-   176L, 176R: vertical aiming axis

What is claimed is:
 1. A headlamp assembly for a saddle-type vehicle,said headlamp assembly comprising: left and right light-emittingportions arranged on left and right sides, respectively, each of thelight-emitting portions comprising a light source and a concavereflector disposed proximate the light source for reflecting lightforwardly, each reflector having an inclined surface, and having anupper surface and a rear surface, the inclined surface being configuredsuch that the rear surfaces of the reflectors extend in directionsseparating from each other as the reflectors extend rearwardly, and twoheat sinks each having an L-shape cover the upper surface and rearsurfaces, respectively, of the reflectors; a housing which supports thelight emitting portions while covering the light emitting portions frombehind; and a lens which covers a front side of the light emittingportions while allowing light to pass therethrough; wherein a driver fordriving the light sources of the left and right light-emitting portionsis arranged behind and between the left and right reflectors, saiddriver having power lines to connect the driver to the light-emittingportions; wherein the driver is supported on an outer side of a rearsurface wall of the housing and is arranged in a recessed, forwardlyindented portion which is formed in the rear surface wall of thehousing, and wherein the rear surface wall of the housing bulges in arearwardly projecting manner to form spaces behind the heat sinkswhereby air around the heat sinks forms convection flows, wherein thepower lines are shortened due to the placement of the driver and theheadlamp assembly is compact due to the structure of the headlampassembly.
 2. The headlamp assembly for a saddle-type vehicle accordingto claim 1, wherein the driver is treated to be water-resistant.
 3. Theheadlamp assembly for a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 2,wherein: the driver is a headlight-use driver for driving the lightsource for a headlight, the headlamp assembly further comprises a turnsignal lamp, and a signal-lamp driver for the turn signal lamp isarranged inside of the housing, in a state where the rear surface wallof the housing is sandwiched between the headlight-use driver and thesignal-lamp driver.
 4. The headlamp assembly for a saddle-type vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein: the driver is a headlight-use driver fordriving the light source for a headlight, the headlamp assembly furthercomprises a turn signal lamp, and a signal-lamp driver for the turnsignal lamp is arranged inside of the housing, in a state where the rearsurface wall of the housing is sandwiched between the headlight-usedriver and the signal-lamp driver.
 5. A headlamp assembly for asaddle-type vehicle, said headlamp assembly comprising: a hollowhousing; left and right light-emitting portions arranged inside of thehousing on left and right sides thereof, respectively, each of thelight-emitting portions comprising a light source and a concavereflector disposed proximate the light source for reflecting lightforwardly, each reflector having an inclined surface and having an uppersurface and a rear surface, the inclined surface being configured suchthat the rear surfaces of the reflectors extend in directions separatingfrom each other as the reflectors extend rearwardly, and two heat sinkseach having an L-shape cover the upper surface and rear surfaces,respectively, of the reflectors; a lens which covers a front side of thelight emitting portions while allowing light to pass therethrough; aheadlight-use driver for driving the light sources of the left and rightlight-emitting portions, said driver having power lines to connect thedriver to the light-emitting portions; a turn signal lamp, and asignal-lamp driver for the turn signal lamp; wherein the headlight-usedriver is arranged on an outer side of a rear surface wall of thehousing, behind and between the left and right reflectors in a recessed,forwardly indented portion which is formed in the rear surface wall ofthe housing; and wherein the signal-lamp driver for the turn signal lampis arranged inside of the housing, in a state where the rear surfacewall of the housing is sandwiched between the headlight-use driver andthe signal-lamp driver, and wherein the rear surface wall of the housingbulges in a rearwardly projecting manner to form spaces behind the heatsinks whereby air around the heat sinks forms convection flows, andwherein the power lines are shortened due to the placement of the driverand the headlamp assembly is compact due to the structure of theheadlamp assembly.
 6. The headlamp assembly for a saddle-type vehicleaccording to claim 5, wherein the headlight-use driver is treated to bewater-resistant.
 7. A headlamp assembly for a saddle-type vehicle, saidheadlamp assembly comprising: a hollow housing; left and rightlight-emitting portions arranged inside of the housing on left and rightsides thereof, respectively, each of the light-emitting portionscomprising a light source and a concave reflector disposed proximate thelight source for reflecting light forwardly, each reflector having aninclined surface and having an upper surface and a rear surface, theinclined surface being configured such that the rear surfaces of thereflectors extend in directions separating from each other as thereflectors extend rearwardly, and two heat sinks each having an L-shapecover the upper surface and rear surfaces, respectively, of thereflectors; a lens which covers a front side of the light emittingportions while allowing light to pass therethrough; a headlight-usedriver for driving the light sources of the left and rightlight-emitting portions, said driver having power lines to connect thedriver to the light-emitting portions; a turn signal lamp, and asignal-lamp driver for the turn signal lamp; wherein the headlight-usedriver is treated to be water resistant, and is arranged on an outerside of a rear surface wall of the housing, behind, between, and abovethe left and right reflectors in a recessed, forwardly indented portionwhich is formed in the rear surface wall of the housing; and wherein thesignal-lamp driver for the turn signal lamp is arranged inside of thehousing, in a state where the rear surface wall of the housing issandwiched between the headlight-use driver and the signal-lamp driver,and is located above the reflectors and at substantially the same heightas the headlight use driver, and wherein the rear surface wall of thehousing bulges in a rearwardly projecting manner to form spaces behindthe heat sinks whereby air around the heat sinks forms convection flows,and wherein the power lines are shortened due to the placement of thedriver and the headlamp assembly is compact due to the structure of theheadlamp assembly.